Yoga With Varenka

Hola, I am Varenka Jeevani (she/her), and I am very happy you are here! (and the doggie is Chula)

I am an inclusive and body-neutral yoga teacher born and raised in Mexico City. I have been living in Canada for 20 years (time flies!). I have a BA in Psychology and am a licensed Early Childhood Educator. I moved to Canada in 2005, and shortly after, I found Yoga. It began as an attempt to improve my posture, and it evolved into much more. It helped me find moments of quiet that translated into a more peaceful life. It has helped me stay connected with myself when experiencing challenging times and to make choices from an anchored place. I have been practicing and teaching for over 19 years, and I love sharing this gift with people of all ages and abilities.

I have grown frustrated with the lack of representation of diverse bodies, genders, and clothing in the mainstream media when it comes to fitness, health, wellness, and yoga. I think an image doesn't really explain what yoga looks like. I offer options to people who want to practice yoga but don’t know how to make it work for themselves.

One of my main mantras for life is: “When everything else fails, just breathe.”

Throughout my life, I’ve always been drawn to the world of children. I have over 25 years of experience working with children and teens in a wide range of roles, including psychologist, English teacher, Early Childhood Educator, yoga teacher, and support worker. I have taught classes to children and families in daycare centers, schools, and at community events. I love sharing yoga with children because they inspire me and teach me about life's silliness, joy, and challenges.

I also really love teaching AcroYoga and Mandala Rock Painting workshops. In my free time, I love exploring the outdoors with my fur babies, running, hiking, and making delicious food.

Certifications in Yoga Teacher Trainings (YTT):

2008 – Hatha and Classical Ashtanga Yoga – Saltspring Centre of Yoga – 200 hours
2011 – Prenatal Yoga – Saltspring Centre of Yoga – 29 hours
2012, 2013 – Children and Family Yoga – Rainbow Kids Yoga (Now, Rainbow Yoga) – 30 hours
2014 – Chair Yoga – Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga – 30 hours
2016 – Traditional Tantra Yoga – Shri Kali Ashram , Goa, India – 300 hours
2018 – Yin Yoga – OmTown Yoga Studio – 50 hours
2018 – AcroYoga – Vancity Acro – 80 hours
2023 - Deconstruct to Reconstruct Anatomy - Year-long course
2025 - Yoga Student Training - Year-long philosophy course

I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support of all my teachers and students.

I cannot wait to share this journey with you.

These quotes sum up how I approach my yoga practice and how I share it with others:

"Yoga is a dance between control and surrender, between pushing and letting go, and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being." - Joel Kramer

"Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are."- Rolf Gates

“Teach to learn” ~ Baba Hari Dass

MY MISSION

To foster a safe and inclusive community that promotes equity and accessibility in yoga. To create a space where individuals can connect with themselves and their bodies. To empower individuals to take agency and make choices in their practice, and to assist them in building a loving relationship with themselves and others.

MY VISION

To create a respectful, loving, and inclusive environment that celebrates human diversity in all its forms. To provide students with the knowledge they need to adjust their practice in the moment. To ignite the fire of inquiry to assist students in their journey of self-discovery.

VALUES

Community, Connection, Compassion, Kindness, Celebration of Diversity, Inclusion, Support, Respect, Honesty, Self-Reflection, Continuous Study, Patience.

I have zero tolerance for hostility, violence, bullying, racism, threats and harassment.

Testimonials

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"I often found that the hour I spent in Varenkas class was truly the only time within that week that I was completely relaxed within my body and spirit. As a person with difficulty focusing within this type of scenerio, I was very surprised to learn that I could feel this way. Varenka has a very calming way about her and this reflects on the overall mood and energy that she teaches within her class. Non intimadating approach. Encouraging for anyone to try especially novices or those with limited range of motion. Varenka always made you feel there was no wrong way to do certain poses and offered you different options if some were not comfortable to perform safely."

-Suzanne Senecal | Yoga Student

"We asked Jake what he liked about family yoga, and these are the words of a five-year-old. Number one was Varenka- He thought you were fun and nice, number two was going on imaginary adventures, and I asked what he learned from yoga, and he said balance and breathing. From the adult perspective, it was a fun way to play together, let go of our inhibitions and try something new. We knew it was a great activity to be involved in when Jake asked constantly when the next class was going to be.” "

-Rob and Barb B.

"As a slightly bigger, middle aged guy starting yoga in his fifties, I can safely say I was nervous. My fears quickly eroded in the first class. Varenka not only made me feel comfortable but also dismissed the misconceptions on what yoga was. After day one I felt that I could do it! Varenka believes anyone can do yoga. Throughout the classes I’ve learned more about what yoga is about and how to apply it to different life situations. It makes going to the dentist easier (breathing and relaxing) and hiking (flexibility) to mention a few. Her accepting easy going approach to the discipline had me returning to classes on a regular basis. I look forward to future classes!"

-Jack Tieleman | Long Term Yoga Student

"The class is like an hour vacation."

-Ruth Goodbody | Current Yoga Student

"I appreciate the calm supportive nature of the instructor. Pace suits me as I am often insecure with yoga due to injuries which limit balance and bending / flexibility of an ankle . I was able to keep up or adapt with the help of the instructor and felt stronger and accomplished at the end of the class. "

-Beth Whelan | Current Yoga Student

"I've never had a yoga class like this before. So much freedom. I loved it."

-Tanis Roberts | Drop-In Yoga Student

-Suzanne Senecal | Yoga Student

-Rob and Barb B.

-Jack Tieleman | Long Term Yoga Student

-Suzanne Senecal | Yoga Student

-Rob and Barb B.

-Jack Tieleman | Long Term Yoga Student

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"Varenka is my introduction to yoga. From day one I loved being in Varenka’s presence. She understands yoga as a way of being and is able to share that wisdom through her teaching. She is calm, warm, respectful, and very accommodating to everyone’s personal abilities. I have enjoyed in-person group classes, private sessions, and private Zoom sessions and have learned so much about being present in the moment. Time on my yoga mat has become my daily morning routine that helps me reflect on my intention for the day. Yoga has also played an enormous role in my ability to address ongoing back and neck issues. Varenka is not the only yoga teacher I have had, but the only yoga teacher I always will return to. Thank you Varenka for guiding me to the practice of yoga."

--Tina Fabbro | Long Term Yoga Student

"I love Varenka’s style of teaching yoga! She has a gentle, easygoing and encouraging approach and shares her knowledge of many different aspects of yoga with us. She provides options for poses to accommodate for any limitations and still get the benefits without pain or injury. I always feel comfortable and encouraged to do what I can. I’m in the last half of my 60’s and have some typical arthritis/injuries in various joints. My flexibility and strength have improved so much since joining Varenka’s classes, and the pain I once had, particularly in my knees, is much improved and in some areas has disappeared. I feel so much more connected to my body, breath and mind and it brings me inner calm and peace. I can’t thank her enough for the benefits I am receiving. AND all this without having to leave home!"

--Shannon Patrick | Online Yoga Student

"The very first yoga class I ever did was in 2009, and the instructor was Varenka. Before the class, I was stiff and sore. I was limited in mobility, and Varenka was very attuned to my needs as well as the needs of everybody else in the class. And after that class and after all the following classes, I was amazed at how much more movement I had instantly within my legs, within my hips. It was such a big eye opener of how yoga can help me, especially when presented to me in the right way and Varenka did an amazing job at sharing her knowledge and her understanding in a way that I was able to receive it and feel comfortable doing so. Ever since that first initial experience of doing yoga with Varenka, I became a yoga instructor myself. I went to India to learn and I taught classes here in Canada. And if it wasn't for Varenka's ability to really connect with me through her classes and for me to have those profound shifts right at the beginning, I don't think that anyone I don't think that would have happened at all. So thank you, Varenka. I really appreciate all the work you've done and anybody who takes your classes are super fortunate. And I just want to thank you again."

--Kevin Brightside | Former Yoga Student